News from Seattle's Office of Economic Development

The City of Seattle Denies Permit for Capitol Hill Pride – Bite of Broadway for June 24

The City of Seattle denied a permit for Northwest Museum of Legends and Lore (a.k.a. Capitol Hill Pride Festival) for June 24 on Broadway. The permit was denied after Northwest Museum of Legends and Lore attempted to set up an unpermitted street festival on June 9, 10 and 11th and caused an unsafe condition resulting in an injury of an elderly woman.

In that case, the event organizers were notified on May 11, June 1, and June 8 that street parking reservation and street closures for tables, vendor booths, portable toilets, and other event set up were not granted as part of the permits issued for a June 10 and June 11 free speech event, in which 4 people participated.

The City of Seattle sent a letter denying the permit request for June 24th on June 15, 2017. In the letter, the City of Seattle wrote in part:

Your application for “Capitol Hill Pride – Bite of Broadway” (formerly “Capitol Hill Pride Festival”) is denied. This is because you have violated the terms and conditions of the Special Events Permit that was issued to you for a march and rally on June 10, 2017, by 1) erecting approximately 60 or more “No Parking” signs along Broadway Avenue without permission, 2) by placing approximately eight or more port-a-potties on the Broadway Avenue sidewalk without permission, 3) by attempting to close the southbound lanes of Broadway Avenue without permission, 4) by allowing event participants to erect tents on the west sidewalk of Broadway Avenue without permission, and 5) by erecting an unauthorized 12’ by 12’ stage on the west sidewalk of Broadway Avenue without permission.

This decision does not impact the 43rd annual Seattle Pride Parade scheduled for 11:00 AM on June 25th along 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle. Nor does it impact Seattle PrideFest on Saturday, June 24th on Capitol Hill and Sunday, June 25th at Seattle Center.

The City is eager to work with other community organizers who may choose to come forward to plan an event for the traditional Broadway event that is impacted by this decision. If organizers come forward, the City will conduct an expedited permit review process to minimize the impact to the community and businesses.

The City of Seattle has a long history of support for the LGBTQ communities. The City of Seattle is proud to be home to one of the largest and oldest Pride parades in the world. The City was one of the first in the nation to recognize domestic partnerships, to offer transition as a benefit in healthcare for transgender City employees and to protect LGBTQ residents from discrimination in housing, employment, and other public accommodations. Every year, City employees voluntarily participate in Seattle Pride events with their friends, family, and coworkers. The City of Seattle also filed amicus briefs before the Supreme Court supporting nationwide marriage equality.